Golf stance-steadying device



R. WOLFE GOLF STANCE STEADYING DEVICE July 19, 1927. ,086

Filed May 25. 1927 Patented July 19, 1927.

UNITED STATES 1,636,086 PATENT OFFICE.

.RICH-ARD WOLFE, F KENILW0RTH, .ILLINOIS.

GOLF STANCESTEAIDYING DEVICE.

Application filed May 25,

ball, it is necessary for the player to maintain the assumed position of his body while swinging his club, to the end of holding approximately stationary the pivotal point about which the'club, arms, and shoulders must swing in making the stroke, in order to return the head of the club in a correctly directed path of movement to effect impact with the ball squarely upon the ap- V proximate center of the face of the club head.

There is a strong inclination among players to lift and turn thehead in the direction of the expected flight of the ball, during the down stroke of the club, in order to observe the ball in flight. This almost invariable results in a lifting of the shoulders and body, tl'llS disturbing the pivotal center of the swing and resulting in topping the ball, or otherwise failing to make a fair stroke, in consequence of the movement of the club being diverted from the correct path by the change in position or stance of the player.

It is the object of my present invention to provide a device which materially aids the player in maintaining a steady stance while swinging the club, and the use of which enables the correction of the fault of lifting and turning the head, and which ef fects a marked improvement in direction and distance obtained in the flight of the ball.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent in the following description and drawings in which I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a player with the device in position to use.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the device itself.

Referring to Fig. 2, the device as illustrated in preferred form comprises a cylindrical body structure 1, preferably made of rubber or some other material having some degree of resiliency. Positioned about the outer surface of the body portion 1,

as illustrated at 3, in Fig. 1.

1927. Serial No. 193,957.

are series of radially extending spaced fingers or projections 2, whichpare, preferably intcgral with the body structure.

Thedevice is adapted to be positioned in use in contact with the neck of the player, It may be placed against :the neck and beneath the chin, so that by dropping the head and chin 1n the position which is normally assumed in addreesing the ball, the device is held by friction with the flesh .and retained under the chin throughoutthe stroke.

It will be obvious that should the player turn his head while the device is inthe position illustrated, the projections 2, which are slightly impressed in the flesh of the :neck and the chin, will resist such turning movement and draw the flesh of the player in such manner as to immediately make him conscious of the fact that he is turning his head. Furthermore the player is conscious by the sense of feeling of the presence of'the device in the position illustrated, and is reminded thereby to keep his head down with the chin against the device to retain it in position.

I have found that my invention gives very good results,v also, when placed at the side of the neck or at the back of the neck. It may be conveniently held in the latter positi ons by being inserted between the blouse or shirt collar and the neck. In these latter positions it will be obvious that turning the head and neck causes a movement resisting action' of the rough surface of the device upon the flesh of the neck, with the same effect of immediately causing the player to be conscious of and to stop the movement of the head. i

The device is of size conveniently to be carried about the person of the player. and may be provided at one end with a loop 4 by which the device may be attached .to some portion of the players clothing, as to the end of a neck tie, whereby the player may place the device in position while driving or playing from the fairway, and drop it for suspension by the attached clothing when its use is not required.

I have illustrated the device as being preferably constructed in cylindrical form with radial fingers, and have described it as being made preferably of resilient material such as rubber. It will be obvious that the device may be spherical or of any desirable form suitable to be positioned as described,

and also that it may be composed of any material presenting a roughened outer surface or having projecting portions suitable for a slightly impressed gripping contact with the flesh of the player when secured in the positions described herein, and. I aim to include such modified embodiments of my invention in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A golf stance steadying device comprising a body adapted to be held in frictional contact with the neck of a player whereby the player is made conscious of a movement of the head relative to the shoulders.

2. A golf stance steadying device comprising a body having a rough surface adapted for frictionally maintained contact with the neck of a player.

3. A golf stance steadying device comprising a body having outer projections adapted for engagement with the neck of a player whereby movement of the head is resisted.

4. A golf stance steadyingdeviee comprising a resilient structure having outwardly projecting portions and adapted to be held between the chin and neck of a player to resist movement of the head.

5. A golf stance steadying device comprising a body having a rough surface adapted to be frictionally held between the neck and the chin of a player.

6. A golf stance steadying device comprising a body structure having surface projections adapted to effect frictional resistance to movement of the head of a player when secured in contact with the neck of the player.

7. A golf stance steadying device comprising a resiliently deformable structui'e havin" flesh engaging projecting members GXtGDC- ing from the outer surface thereof.

8. A golf stance steadying device comprising a cylindrically formed structure having radially extending resilient fingers mounted on its outer surface adapted for movement resisting engagement with the neck of a player.

9. A golf stance steadying device comprising a body structure having flesh engaging projecting members extending from the sur face thereof.

10. A golf stance steadying device comprising a cylindrically formed structure having radially extending resilient fingers mounted on its outer surface adapted for movement resisting engagement with the neck of a player and having a loop formed a it one end thereof for the supporting attachi'ucnt of said device.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my signature.

RICHARD WVOLFE. 

